Oral devices

Abstract

Oral devices are provided, including oral brushes that include bristle tufts and a rotatable member having radially extending protrusions constructed to wedge between a user's teeth and, among other things, cause compression of the papilla.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An oral care device comprising: 
       a body having a head shaped for insertion into the oral cavity, and  
       a rotatable element mounted on the head, the rotatable element including a central portion and a plurality of protrusions extending radially from the central portion, each protrusion generally being diamond shaped or triangular-shaped in cross section and having a polygonal cross-section tapering from a relatively wide base to a relatively narrow tip, wherein each side of the polygon become shorter as the protrusion tapers.  
     
     
       2. The oral care device of  claim 1  further comprising tooth cleansing elements extending from a top surface of the head. 
     
     
       3. The oral care device of  claim 2  wherein the tooth cleansing elements are selected from bristles, fins and elongated elastomeric members. 
     
     
       4. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the rotatable element is mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the top surface of the head. 
     
     
       5. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the head includes a slot positioned to allow the rotatable element to rotate freely. 
     
     
       6. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the dimensions of the rotatable element, and the number of protrusions, are selected so that the tips are circumferentially spaced at intervals that correspond approximately to the average spacing of human teeth. 
     
     
       7. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the protrusions are shaped to wedge between a user's teeth, resulting in compression of the papilla. 
     
     
       8. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the protrusions are sized to penetrate into the interproximal space. 
     
     
       9. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the tips have a maximum width of less than 0.050 inch. 
     
     
       10. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the tips have a maximum width of from about 0.015 to 0.035 inch. 
     
     
       11. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the base has a maximum width of less than 0.080 inches. 
     
     
       12. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the base has a maximum width of from about 0.050 to 0.065 inches. 
     
     
       13. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the tip has a maximum height of less than 0.060 inches. 
     
     
       14. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the tip has a maximum height of from about 0.030 to 0.050 inches. 
     
     
       15. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the base has a maximum height less then 0.100 inches. 
     
     
       16. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the base has a maximum height from about 0.070 to 0.090 inches. 
     
     
       17. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the protrusions have a length of from about 0.15 to 0.20 inch. 
     
     
       18. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the tips are formed of a material having a durometer reading of from about 25 to 85 Shore A. 
     
     
       19. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the tips are formed of a material having a durometer reading of from about 55 to 75 Shore A. 
     
     
       20. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the tips are formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
       21. The oral care device of  claim 1  comprising 5 protrusions wherein the angle between adjacent protrusions is about 72°. 
     
     
       22. The oral care device of  claim 1  further comprising rounded interfaces between the sides of the polygon. 
     
     
       23. The oral care device of  claim 1  wherein the length of each protrusion is substantially greater than either the height of the protrusion at the base or the width of the protrusion at the base. 
     
     
       24. An oral brush comprising: 
       a body having a head that is shaped for insertion into the oral cavity,  
       tooth cleansing elements extending from a top surface of the head, and  
       a rotatable element, mounted on the head, including a central portion and a plurality of protrusions extending radially from the central portion, each protrusion having a double-taper from a base having a width of less than 0.080 inches and a height of less than 0.100 inches to a tip having a width of less than 0.050 inches and a height of less than 0.060, the protrusions being generally diamond-shaped in cross-section to wedge between a user's teeth.